Vibratory distribution conveyor

ABSTRACT

In order to provide the capability of distributing a material that is conveyed, a vibratory distribution conveyor includes a deck having a distribution edge. The distribution edge extends between an inlet end and an end remote therefrom and the deck is subjected to vibratory motion to cause material to be conveyed from the inlet end toward the end remote therefrom. With this arrangement, the declination of the deck is controlled about a longitudinal axis to control the distribution characteristics of the conveyor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to vibratory conveyors and,more particularly, a vibratory conveyor for distributing materials froma distribution edge thereof

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is well known in the art, vibratory conveying equipment has beendeveloped to satisfy a wide range of diverse applications. It isoftentimes the case that a system for handling any of a variety ofdifferent materials will include, as an integral component, a vibratoryconveyor for conveying the material from a first to a second location.At the second location, there may be a need for distributing thematerial rather than depositing the material at a single point.

In one particular application, a vibratory distribution conveyor may beadvantageously utilized for handling sprue which is a necessarybyproduct of production in a foundry. The sprue is a crude, irregularwaste material that may not be readily susceptible to being conveyed toa single point for later handling for recycling. On the contrary, thenature of sprue is such that it should be conveyed and deposited in adistributed manner rather than conveyed and deposited into a pile at theend of the conveyor.

More specifically, the sprue may have sharp and irregular edges and maybe of different sizes and shapes. It is easier to handle the sprue if itis conveyed from a first location to a distributed handling location,i.e., a location where it is longitudinally separated. Unfortunately,there has been no such vibratory conveyor capable of doing this in anacceptable manner.

While the requirements for the handling of sprue are described herein,it will be appreciated that there are many other material conveyingoperations that may have similar requirements. It is well known in thevibratory conveying field that many materials must be conveyed from afirst location to a later-handling location in a manner that can be mostexpediently accomplished utilizing a vibratory conveyor. In most if notall such applications, it is necessary or desirable for the transfer ofthe material from the first location to the later-handling location tobe accomplished in a suitably controlled manner.

The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of theforegoing problems and achieving one or more of the resulting objects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vibratory materialdistributor which includes a conveyor and means for vibrating theconveyor. It is also an object of the present invention to provide avibratory distribution conveyor in which a deck has an inlet end and adistribution edge extending between the inlet end and an end remotetherefrom. It is a further object of the present invention to controlthe declination of the deck about an axis extending from the inlet endto the end remote therefrom.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to vibratory distributionconveyor comprising a deck having an inlet end and a distribution edgeextending between the inlet end and an end remote therefrom. Theconveyor also includes means for imparting vibratory motion to causematerial on the deck to be conveyed from the inlet end toward the endremote therefrom and means for controlling declination of the deck aboutan axis extending from the inlet end to the end remote therefrom. In theexemplary embodiment, the deck is supported by a plurality of links anda plurality of springs extending from a rigid support surface at anobtuse angle and an acute angle to the deck, respectively.

In a preferred embodiment, the vibratory motion imparting means producesa resultant force which is suitably disposed at an oblique angle to thedeck of the vibratory distribution conveyor. It is advantageous toachieve this by utilizing a motor driven eccentric mass systemassociated with the deck for causing material on the deck to be conveyedfrom the inlet end toward the end remote therefrom. As for the resultantforce, the oblique angle is such that there is a vertically upward forcecomponent and a horizontally forward force component which is producedby the motor driven eccentric mass system.

As for other details, the links preferably extend from the rigid supportsurface at an obtuse angle to the deck and the springs preferably extendfrom the rigid support surface at an acute angle to the deck. It is alsoadvantageous for there to be a pivotable connection between thegenerally linear, planar conveying surface of the deck and a framemember disposed below the deck to accommodate pivoting movement of thedeck about a longitudinal axis. As for the declination controllingmeans, it preferably includes an inflatable and deflatable bag locatedbelow the deck on the side opposite the distribution edge to control theangle of declination relative to the longitudinal axis.

In a highly preferred embodiment, the vibratory distribution conveyor issuch that the deck comprises a generally linear, planar conveyingsurface extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. The conveyingsurface advantageously includes an upstanding wall which is locatedopposite the distribution edge and which serves to keep material fromfalling from the deck except along the distribution edge. As for thepivotable connection, it is preferably defined by a first yoke memberwhich is rigidly mounted to the deck and a second yoke member which isrigidly mounted to the frame.

In a most highly preferred embodiment, the pivotable connection furtherincludes a compressible spacer disposed between and in contact with thefirst and second yoke members and a fastener joining the first andsecond yoke members for slight relative pivotal movement within limitsdefined at least in part by the compressible spacer. It is advantageousfor the compressible spacer to be generally donut or toroid shaped withthe fastener comprising a bolt extending through the first and secondyoke members and the compressible spacer and with a nut threadinglyengaged with the bolt for tightening and loosening the connectionbetween the first and second yoke members to increase and decreasetorsional resistance to movement of the compressible spacer. With thisarrangement, the inflatable and deflatable bag preferably is locatedbelow the deck beneath the generally linear, planar conveying surfaceand is disposed opposite the distribution edge where it is carried byfirst and second mounting bracket which are secured to the deck and theframe member disposed beneath the deck.

Additionally, the links and springs are preferably provided in groupedpairs with each of the grouped pairs being arranged such that the linkand the spring of each pair are joined in substantially adjacentrelation to the frame member with the links each advantageously havingone end pivotally connected to the rigid support surface and the otherend pivotally mounted to the frame member beneath the deck toaccommodate a reciprocating motion of the deck imparted by the motordriven eccentric mass system and resisted by the springs. Stilladditionally, the motor driven eccentric mass system preferably includesa motor mounted to the rigid support structure, an eccentric masscarried by a shaft mounted to the rigid support structure in closeproximity to the motor, a coupling for rotating the shaft with the motorto cause the eccentric mass carried by the shaft to rotate about theaxis of the shaft, and a resistent connection of the eccentric mass tothe frame member for producing the resultant force for the conveyingmaterial on the conveying surface of the deck.

Other objects advantages and features of the present invention willbecome apparent from a consideration of the following specificationtaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a vibratory distribution conveyorin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 2—2 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial side elevational view taken generally along the line3—3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a partial side elevational view taken generally along the line4—4 of FIG. 2

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the illustration given, and with reference first to FIG. 1, thereference numeral 10 designates generally a vibratory distributionconveyor in accordance with the present invention. The conveyor 10includes a deck 12 having an inlet end 14 and a distributing edge 16extending between the inlet end 14 and an end 18 remote therefrom. Thedeck 12 comprises a generally linear, planar conveying surface 12aextending parallel to a longitudinal axis 20, and it has an upstandingwall 22 opposite the distribution edge 16 (see, also, FIGS. 2 and 3).The conveyor 10 also includes a motor driven eccentric mass systemgenerally designated 24 which produces a resultant force generallyrepresented by the doubleheaded arrow 26 disposed at an oblique angle tothe conveying surface 12a of the deck 12. In this connection, theresultant force has vertically upward and horizontally forward forcecomponents to cause material on the deck 12 to be conveyed from theinlet end 14 toward the end 18 remote therefrom.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the deck 12 is supported by a plurality oflinks 28 and a plurality of springs 30 wherein the links 28 extend at anobtuse angle from a rigid support surface 32 to a frame member 34 whichis disposed beneath the deck 12. The springs 30 will be seen to extendat an acute angle from the rigid support surface 32 to the frame member34. In addition, the conveyor 10 includes means generally designated 36for controlling declination of the distribution edge 16 of the deck 12in relation to the generally linear, planar conveying surface 12a aboutthe longitudinal axis 20 (see FIG. 3).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the conveyor 10 includes a pivotablefrictional connection 38 between the generally linear, planar conveyingsurface 12a of the deck 12 and the frame member 34 to accommodatepivoting movement of the deck 12 about the longitudinal axis 20. Thepivotable connection 38 is defined by a first yoke member 40 rigidlymounted to the deck 12 and a second yoke member 42 rigidly mounted tothe frame member 34 and further includes a compressible spacer 44. Thecompressible spacer 44 is disposed between and in contact with the firstand second yoke members 40 and 42 and a fastener 46 joins the first andsecond yoke members 40 and 42 in a manner permitting slight relativepivotal movement within limits defined at least in part by thecharacteristics of the compressible spacer 44. With this arrangement,the compressible spacer 44 is generally donut or toroid shaped, thefastener 46 comprises a bolt extending through the first and second yokemembers 40 and 42 and the donut or toroid shaped compressible spacer 44,and a nut 48 threadingly engages the bolt 46.

With the foregoing construction, it will be appreciated that the nut 48on the bolt 46 may be utilized to tighten and loosen the connectionbetween the first and second yoke members 40 and 42 to increase anddecrease torsional resistance to movement of the compressible spacer 44on the first and second yoke members 40 and 42.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the conveyor 10 includes apair of first and second yoke members 40 and 42 disposed oppositely ofthe motor driven eccentric mass system 24 with each of the pairs offirst and second yoke members 40 and 42 having a donut or toroid shapedcompressible spacer 44 therebetween. It may be advantageous for thecompressible spacer 44 to actually comprise a pair of such spacers 44aand 44b, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, to provide a highly effective meansfor increasing and decreasing torsional resistance to movement of thefirst and second yoke members 40 and 42 between which the compressiblespacers 44a and 44b are suitably disposed. In any event, the torsionalresistance provided by the compressible spacers such as 44a and 44b canbe controlled as desired in a particular application by tightening andloosening the connection between the first and second yoke members 40and 42 in conventional fashion utilizing the nut 48 and bolt 46 aspreviously described (see FIG. 4).

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the declination controlling means 36includes an inflatable and deflatable bag 50 located below the deck 12beneath the generally linear, planar conveying surface 12a on the sideof the deck 12 opposite the distribution edge 16 to control the angle ofdeclination relative to the longitudinal axis 20. It will be appreciatedthat, in the preferred embodiment, the conveyor 10 will include a pairof inflatable and deflatable bags such as 50 which suitably comprisepneumatic springs located below the deck 12 beneath the generallylinear, planar conveying surface 12a thereof, although a potentialalternative embodiment would involve using hydraulic springs in place ofthe pneumatic springs. In this connection, the inflatable and deflatablebags 50 are preferably disposed at spaced locations, which maycorrespond to the locations of the pivotable connection 38, opposite thedistribution edge 16 with each of the bags 50 being carried by first andsecond mounting brackets 52 and 54 secured to the deck 12 and the framemember 34, respectively.

As with the pivotable connections 38 and the bags 50, the links andsprings 28 and 30 are preferably provided in grouped pairs with each ofthe grouped pairs being arranged such that the link 28 and thecorresponding spring 30 are joined in substantially adjacent relation asat 56 to the frame member 34. The links 28 each have one end 28apivotally mounted to the rigid support surface 32 and the other end 28bpivotally mounted to the frame member 34 to accommodate a reciprocatingmotion of the deck 12 imparted by the motor driven eccentric mass system24 and resisted by the springs 30. The motor driven eccentric masssystem 24 preferably includes a motor 58 mounted to the rigid supportstructure 32, an eccentric mass 60 carried by a shaft 62 mounted to therigid support surface 32 With this arrangement the motor 58 causes theeccentric mass 60 to rotate about the axis of the shaft 62, and aresilient connection to the frame member 34 is provided as by the spring64 causing the resultant force represented by the doubleheaded arrow 26to be produced.

From the foregoing description of an eccentric mass system which is of atype that is conventional in the art, it will be appreciated howvibratory conveying forces are produced for conveying material on thedeck 12.

As will be appreciated from FIG. 2, the rigid support structure 32comprises a first beam or beam composite mounted to a rigid surface suchas a floor 66 and the frame member 34 comprises a second beam or beamcomposite mounted above the first beam or beam composite. As will alsobe appreciated from FIG. 1, the distribution edge 16 comprises a linearedge of the generally linear, planar conveying surface 12a of the deck12 extending substantially entirely from the inlet end 14 to theopposite end 18 for distributing conveyed materials therealong.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing, the present invention is wellsuited for conveying materials which are to be distributed along agenerally linear conveying path. The characteristics of the vibratorydistribution conveyor 10 can be varied in several ways such asincreasing and decreasing torsional resistance to movement of thecompressible spacers 44, controlling the angle of declaration of thegenerally linear, planar conveying surface 12a between positive andnegative angles about the longitudinal axis 20 extending centrallythrough the pivotable connections 38 by utilizing the inflatable anddeflatable bags 50, varying the characteristics of the motor 58 andeccentric mass 60, and changing the length of the links 28 and thespring constant characteristics of the springs 30 and 64. As a result,the vibratory distribution conveyor 10 finds wide ranging applicabilitywith the operating characteristics fully capable of complete controldepending upon requirements.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the vibratorydistribution conveyor 10 permits control over the material distributioncharacteristics of the deck 12 through the declination controlling means36 and the frictional connection 38. This makes it possible todistribute a material such as sprue from a foundry to one or moreconveyors extending generally transverse to the deck 12 and, while theinvention has been described in connection with sprue, the vibratorydistribution conveyor is well suited for distributing material rangingin size from small particles to very large materials such as castingsand the like. Still more specifically, the vibratory distributionconveyor 10 permits distributing a material from a relative narrowtrough defined by the deck 12 to a much wider conveyor or conveyorsalong the distribution edge 16 of the deck 12.

In this connection, the distribution edge 16 will be understood in thespecification and claims to mean not only a free edge of the deck 12 asshown in FIG. 1, but also to mean any longitudinally extendingequivalents such as openings along the length of the deck 12 positionedcloser to one edge than the other edge thereof. Thus, it would be withinthe purview of the present invention to have an upstanding wall such as22 on each of the opposite longitudinal edges of the deck 12 but withselective openings positioned as desired along or near one of theupstanding walls through which a material to be conveyed may pass in adistributed manner as needed for a particular application. With all sucharrangements, it is possible to distribute a material that is beingconveyed without the need for mechanical components such as plows.

By using compression rubber for the compressible spacers such as 44a and44b, and subjecting them to torsion through the action of thedeclination controlling means 36, there is no need for anymetal-to-metal component connections. Thus, the present invention makesit possible to avoid the use of mechanical components such as arms,links and the like. However, if desired, it would be possible to utilizea mechanical center pivot construction with a spring return in place ofeach of the frictional connections 38 described hereinabove.

While in the foregoing there has been set forth a preferred embodimentof the invention, it will be appreciated that the details herein givenmay be varied by those skilled in the art without departing from thetrue spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. A vibratory distribution conveyor, comprising: a deck having an inletend and a distribution edge extending between the inlet end and an endremote therefrom; means for imparting vibratory motion to cause materialon the deck to be conveyed from the inlet end toward the end remotetherefrom; and means for controlling declination of the deck about anaxis extending from the inlet end to the end remote therefrom.
 2. Thevibratory distribution conveyor of claim 1 wherein the vibratory motionimparting means produces a resultant force disposed at an oblique angleto the deck.
 3. The vibratory distribution conveyor of claim 1 whereinthe deck comprises a generally planar conveying surface having anupstanding wall opposite the distribution edge.
 4. The vibratorydistribution conveyor of claim 1 wherein the deck comprises a generallylinear conveying surface and the axis of declination is a longitudinallyextending axis.
 5. The vibratory distribution conveyor of claim 1wherein the vibratory motion imparting means comprises a motor driveneccentric mass system associated with the deck.
 6. The vibratorydistribution conveyor of claim 1 wherein the deck is supported by aplurality of links extending from a rigid support surface at an obtuseangle to the deck.
 7. The vibratory distribution conveyor of claim 1wherein the deck is supported by a plurality of springs extending from arigid support surface at an acute angle to the deck.
 8. The vibratorydistribution conveyor, comprising: a deck having an inlet end and adistribution edge extending between the inlet end and an end remotetherefrom, the deck comprising a generally linear conveying surfaceextending along a longitudinal axis, the deck further comprising agenerally planar conveying surface having an upstanding wall oppositethe distribution edge; a motor driven eccentric mass system associatedwith the deck for causing material on the deck to be conveyed from theinlet end toward the end remote therefrom; and means for controllingdeclination of the distribution edge of the deck in relation to thegenerally linear, planar conveying surface of the deck about thelongitudinal axis.
 9. The vibratory distribution conveyor of claim 8wherein the motor driven eccentric mass system produces a resultantforce at an oblique angle to the deck having a vertically upward forcecomponent and a horizontally forward force component.
 10. The vibratorydistribution conveyor of claim 8 wherein the deck is supported by aplurality of links extending from a rigid support surface at an obtuseangle to the deck and by a plurality of springs extending from the rigidsupport surface at an acute angle to the deck.
 11. The vibratorydistribution conveyor of claim 8 including a pivotable connectionbetween the generally linear, planar conveying surface of the deck andthe motor driven eccentric mass system to accommodate pivoting movementof the deck about the longitudinal axis.
 12. The vibratory distributionconveyor of claim 8 wherein the declination controlling means includesan inflatable and deflatable bag located below the deck on the sideopposite the distribution edge to control the angle of declinationrelative to the longitudinal axis.
 13. The vibratory distributionconveyor, comprising: a deck having an inlet end and a distribution edgeextending between the inlet end and an end remote therefrom, the deckcomprising a generally linear conveying surface extending along alongitudinal axis, the deck further comprising a generally planarconveying surface having an upstanding wall opposite the distributionedge; a motor driven eccentric mass system producing a resulting forceat an oblique angle to the deck having a vertically upward forcecomponent and a horizontally forward force component for causingmaterial on the deck to be conveyed from the inlet end toward the endremote therefrom; the deck being supported by a plurality of linksextending at an obtuse angle from a rigid support surface to a framemember disposed beneath the deck and also being supported by a pluralityof springs extending at an acute angle from the rigid support surface tothe frame member disposed beneath the deck; and means for controllingdeclination of the distribution edge of the deck in relation to thegenerally linear, planar conveying surface of the deck about thelongitudinal axis.
 14. The vibratory distribution conveyor of claim 13including a pivotable frictional connection between the generallylinear, planar conveying surface and the frame member to accommodatepivoting movement of the deck about the longitudinal axis and whereinthe declination controlling means includes an inflatable and deflatablebag located below the deck beneath the generally linear, planarconveying surface on the side of the deck opposite the distribution edgeto control the angle of declination relative to the longitudinal axis.15. The vibratory distribution conveyor of claim 14 wherein thepivotable frictional connection is defined by a first yoke memberrigidly mounted to the deck and a second yoke member rigidly mounted tothe frame member, the pivotable frictional connection further includinga compressible spacer, the compressible spacer being disposed betweenand in contact with the first and second yoke members, and a fastenerjoining the first and second yoke members for slight relative pivotalmovement within limits defined at least in part by the compressiblespacer.
 16. The vibratory distribution conveyor of claim 15 wherein thecompressible spacer is formed of generally donut or toroid shapedcompression rubber, the fastener comprises a bolt extending through thefirst and second yoke members of the donut or toroid shaped compressiblespacer and a nut threadingly engaged with the bolt for tightening andloosening the connection between the first and second yoke members, thenut and bolt permitting the connection to be tightened and loosened toincrease and decrease torsional resistance to movement of thecompressible spacer.
 17. The vibratory distribution conveyor of claim 16further including a pair of first and second yoke members each of whichhas a donut or toroid shaped compressible spacer therebetween, andfurther including a pair of inflatable and deflatable bags located belowthe deck beneath the generally linear, planar conveying surface, theinflatable and deflatable bags being disposed at spaced locationsopposite the distribution edge and each of the bags being carried byfirst and second mounting brackets secured on the deck and frame member,respectively.
 18. The vibratory distribution conveyor of claim 17wherein the links and springs are provided in grouped pairs with each ofthe grouped parts being arranged such that the link and the spring ofeach pair are joined in substantially adjacent relation to the framemember, and the links each have one end pivotally mounted to the rigidsupport surface and the other end pivotally mounted to the frame memberto accommodate a reciprocating motion of the deck imparted by the motordriven eccentric mass system and resisted by the springs.
 19. Thevibratory distribution conveyor of claim 18 wherein the motor driveneccentric mass system includes a motor mounted to the rigid supportstructure, an eccentric mass carried by a shaft mounted to the rigidsupport structure in close proximity to the motor, a coupling forrotating the shaft with the motor to cause the eccentric mass carried bythe shaft to rotate about the axis of the shaft, and a resilientconnection to the frame member for producing the resultant force forconveying material on the conveying surface of the deck.
 20. Thevibratory distribution conveyor of claim 19 wherein the rigid supportstructure is a first beam mounted to a rigid surface and the framemember is a second beam mounted above the first beam, the distributionedge comprising a linear edge of the generally linear, planar conveyingsurface of the deck extending substantially entirely from the inlet endto the opposite end for distributing conveyed materials therealong. 21.A vibratory distribution conveyor, comprising: a deck having an inletend and an end remote therefrom, the deck also having a materialdistribution edge between the inlet end and the end remote therefrom; aneccentric mass system for imparting vibratory motion to the deck tocause material to be conveyed from the inlet end toward the end remotetherefrom; and means for controlling declination of the materialdistribution edge of the deck to cause material being conveyed from theinlet end to be distributed therefrom.
 22. The vibratory distributionconveyor of claim 21 wherein the eccentric mass system is motor drivenand produces a resultant force disposed at a generally oblique angle tothe deck.
 23. The vibratory distribution conveyor of claim 21 whereinthe deck comprises a generally linear conveying surface supported by aplurality of springs extending from a rigid support surface.
 24. Thevibratory distribution conveyor of claim 21 wherein the deck comprises agenerally planar comveying surface supported by a plurality of springsextending from a rigid support surface.
 25. A vibratory distributionconveyor, comprising: a deck having an inlet end and a distributionedge; means for imparting vibratory motion to cause material on the deckto be conveyed from the inlet end to the distribution edge; and meansfor controlling declination of the distribution edge.
 26. The vibratorydistribution conveyor of claim 24 wherein the deck is supported by aplurality of springs extending from a rigid support surface.
 27. Avibratory distribution conveyor, comprising: a deck having an inlet endand a distribution edge; an eccentric mass system for causing materialplaced on the deck at the inlet end to be conveyed by vibratory motionto the distribution edge; and a controller for controlling declinationof the distribution edge.
 28. The vibratory distribution conveyor ofclaim 26 wherein the deck is supported by a plurality of springsextending from a rigid support surface.